Melissa Roberts just earned her bachelor’s
in neuroscience and behavioral biology from Emory College, but she
also deserves a PhD in time management. In the classroom, the Phi
Beta Kappa scholar excelled in a demanding major.

On the field, she led the women’s softball team to a University
Athletic Association title and the Div. III Softball World Series.
And in her residence hall, she provided guidance and service to
her fellow students as an advisor.

Roberts’ accomplishments earned her Emory’s highest
student honor, the Marion Luther Brittain Award, given to a member
of the graduating class in recognition of service to the University
performed without expectation of reward or recognition. It was established
at Emory in 1942 through a bequest from alumnus M.L. Brittain, a
former president of the Georgia Institute of Technology.

“I used my time as best I could to get the most in, and enjoyed
it all,” said Roberts, an Emory Scholar and native of Billings,
Mont. “I was shocked to be honored with such an award. I feel
very lucky to have found a school that was such a good match for
me. The people I’ve met and the friendships I’ve made
are a huge part of what made my experience at Emory so incredible.
I’m proud to have been part of such an outstanding community.”

Among her many academic honors at Emory was her selection as a Bobby
Jones Scholar, which involves a full scholarship for a post-graduate
year abroad at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, Emory’s
sister institution.

During her year at St. Andrews, Roberts said she plans to study
and research comparative health care and neuroscience, as well as
play sports and teach softball at a town youth center. When she
returns from her year abroad, Roberts hopes to attend medical school.

As a freshman, Roberts joined a softball program that was just a
year old as part of its inaugural recruiting class.

As co-captain, she has helped lead the team to three consecutive
appearances in the NCAA national tournament, including a fourth-place
finish at this month’s Div. III World Series, and most recently
the team was ranked second in the nation in Div. III by the National
Fastpitch Coaches Association. She has been named to the All-Region
team for the past three years and served as president of Emory’s
Varsity Athletic Council this past year.

Roberts also distinguished herself as a Residence Life staff member
for three years, serving as a senior resident advisor during 2002–03.
One of her nominators for the Brittain Award described her as a
team player who is “assertive, calm under pressure, friendly,
service-centered and time-focused.”